Fugitive businessman Nirav Modi likely to be deported to India from the UK

Nirav Modi is wanted by Indian agencies for corruption, money laundering, fraud and embezzlement

Indian diamond businessman and financial fraudster Nirav Modi has come one step closer to being extradited from the UK back to India.

Modi, 51, who has been accused of allegedly cheating government-owned Punjab National Bank (PNB) by stealing over ₹11,000 crore, is currently behind bars at Wandsworth prison in south-east London.

Since he fled the country in 2018, the Indian government has tried to get him extradited and face the fraud and money laundering charges.

It has been reported that Modi has now lost his appeal that was filed earlier this year. The High Court in London delivered the verdict on Wednesday with the bench comprising of Lord Justice Jeremy Stuart-Smith and Justice Robert Jay.

Modi was given permission to appeal against District Judge Sam Goozee’s ruling in favour of extradition last February at the Westminster Magistrates’ Court. The High Court on Wednesday ruled that Goozee’s order from last year in favour of extradition was “sound”.

The HC said, “Pulling these various strands together and weighing them in the balance so as to reach an overall evaluative judgment on the question raised by Section 91, we are far from satisfied that Mr Modi’s mental condition and the risk of suicide are such that it would be either unjust or oppressive to extradite him.

“It may be that the main benefit of the appeal has been to obtain the extensive further [Indian government] assurances that we have identified in the course of this judgment, which render the position clear to Mr Modi’s advantage and the District Judge’s decision supportable.”

However, according to reports, Modi cannot be extradited yet as he can challenge multiple aspects of the High Court’s ruling. He can now approach the UK’s Supreme Court against the High Court’s order within 14 days. However, he can only do so if the High Court concludes that his case involves a point of law of general public importance.

If Modi does come back to India, he will possibly serve his time in Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail. Modi’s family members, including his uncle, Mehul Choksi, who has taken up citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda, is also accused of defrauding PNB and wanted by the Indian authorities.